Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno is out of the hospital, improving, source says

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Joe Paterno has been released from the hospital and has shown improvement after being treated for lung cancer, a person close to the former Penn State coach's family said Monday.

View full sizeJOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News, filePenn State coach Joe Paterno addresses the media before the annual Blue-White game in 2011.

ESPN, citing an anonymous source, first reported Paterno's release.

Paterno's tumor was showing substantial reduction following radiation and chemotherapy, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity Monday to The Associated Press due to the family's desire for privacy. He was released Sunday.

Paterno, who turns 85 on Wednesday, was admitted last week after breaking his pelvis again in a fall at home. Doctors kept him hospitalized to make it easier to administer cancer treatments while he recovered from the fracture.

Paterno testified before a grand jury investigating Sandusky, but prosecutors have said he is not a target of the investigation. Sandusky, who has pleaded not guilty, is awaiting trial.

Paterno hasn't spoken publicly since his firing. He was diagnosed with cancer several days later during a follow-up visit to the doctor for a bronchial illness, his family has said.

The person close to the family told the AP on Monday that Paterno was in great spirits while continuing to fight the illness.

Earlier Monday, Penn State fullback Michael Zordich said a few players visited Paterno in recent weeks.

"He's a strong person, a fighter, a leader," Zordich said before practice. "He's been going through a lot right now ... We're giving him space, and we'll go see him when can. Hopefully we can get there soon."